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In UT's 41-27 win over the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday afternoon, the Texas Longhorns' defense had a different look. While missing key starters, they had to be creative to stop the Wolverines' offense. Luckily, Ty'Anthony Smith was still available, and he made his presence felt in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
The Texas native had one of his best games of the season with a team-high nine tackles. He also had one tackle for a loss and added eight solo tackles to his resume. While Smith had flashes of brilliance during the 2025 campaign, he stepped up on the national stage when needed most.
For Smith, it was a great way to end a season in which he had taken significant steps forward. The talented linebacker set career highs in total tackles with 59, pass deflections with 1, and interceptions with 2. Due to his stellar play, Smith became a big part of the Longhorns' game plan on defense, and he took advantage.
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As the Longhorns' sophomore shifts his focus to the 2026 campaign, he is well-positioned to build on his success. On a team that will undergo a lot of changes, Smith is a player who can be relied on. The Longhorns are expected to be busy in the transfer portal, and having a veteran on defense with experience will be key. His growth and importance have not gone unnoticed by those who work with him every day.
When talking with the media postgame, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized how much Smith has grown as a leader. It was an example of just how important Smith has become and why his playing time has jumped dramatically over the last year.
Regardless of what changes are made over the next few months, Smith will be a key piece next season. If he continues to build on his performance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, more NFL teams will take notice as Smith begins thinking about life after the Longhorns will hold.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Ty'Anthony Smith leads Longhorns defense in Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win
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